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# Metr. Saba Makes Historic First Visit to San Antonio
- URL: https://uoj.news/news/86283-metr-saba-makes-historic-first-visit-to-san-antonio/
- Published: 2026-01-30T12:45:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-25T16:12:33.000Z
- Description: Metr. Saba’s historic San Antonio visit united pastoral teaching, local culture, and sacramental life.
- Author: Tobias Straney
- Tags: #Category: News, Metropolitan Saba (Isper), Texas, Antiochian Archdiocese of North America, Archpastoral Visit

**SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS —** From January 16 to February 2, Metr. Saba is traveling to [learn more](https://www.antiochian.org/regulararticle/2708?fbclid=IwdGRleAPpLMhleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEe2B4r7Db5ySpg3nVYu414ImrBpT8aFL-qZ578yZqG1ttJAX%5F%5FanPfh3WwDAM%5Faem%5FYptOTZcZ8cATI-j0TXjb3g) about parishes in and around Houston and San Antonio, with his most recent visit taking place January 27–28 at St. Ephraim the Syrian Church.

Making his first-ever visit to San Antonio, Metr. Saba celebrated the parish’s patronal feast, marking the first time a metropolitan has visited the community. He was welcomed by Fr. Mark Vair, visiting clergy, and parish leaders, and attended Great Vespers and Litia-Artoklasia. Fr. Mark noted the church is the first Orthodox church built in the city in more than a century. In a local gesture of hospitality, the parish presented the hierarch with traditional South Texas cowboy boots.

[![](https://uoj.news/content/images/2026/01/86252-metr-saba-continues-archpastoral-tour-across-texas-image-834140cccf10.jpg)On this topicMetr. Saba Visits Texas Parishes, Elevates Clergy](https://uoj.news/news/86156-metr-saba-visits-texas-parishes-elevates-clergy/)

On Wednesday, Metr. Saba presided at the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy, preaching on repentance and the writings of St. Ephraim. He ordained Seth Hart as Dn. Seraphim and inducted four parishioners into the Order of St. Ignatius of Antioch.

Previously, the [UOJ reported](https://uoj.news/news/85829-met-saba-marriage-is-a-path-to-paradise) that Metr. Saba taught that marriage is a path to paradise.